Jul. 31, 2007 - What a day...
Well, we're moving into the world of asthma with our youngest. He's had a few episodes up to this point, but yesterday was pretty scary.
Sunday night he started coughing. An asthmatic cough is very distinct sounding, it sounds 'tight'. It started right around bath-time, and he woke up a few times coughing, but no wheezing and really slept okay that night. But yesterday morning he woke up wheezing and retracting (when you can see the accessory muscles of the chest, throat and abdomen working hard to help the lungs pull in air). So I gave him a nebulizer treatment, which usually does the trick. But it only helped a little, and within a half hour or so he was back to the same place.
I debated - do I call the pediatrician, or the allergist? Part of the difference is the cost, which maybe that sounds like I'm a bad mom for even considering it, but the thought was there. We don't have much in the way of insurance - everything is out-of-pocket. Anyway, I decided to go with the allergist. I spoke with the nurse, and she said they'd call me back. The doctor called back, and asked a bunch of questions. He is so very thorough. Then he could hear Nolan coughing in the background and said, "He needs to be seen. Leave NOW."
Wow, I was a little rattled. I don't have a whole lot of experience, or research, with asthma. It's something I really need to start reading up on. Anyway, the drive to the office is about 35 or 40 minutes and he was coughing and gasping for air the whole way, progressively getting worse. It was scary. They got us right in and the doctor was very thorough in his evaluation, listening to his lungs for what seemed like a long time to me. He explained what the treatment plan would be (I'll get there in a minute), and then said he didn't want us leaving without giving Nolan another neb. treatment there in the office. He evaluated Nolan after the treatment, seeing that it helped, but not much.
Here's the scary part - he told me if I had waited much longer, we would have ended up in the ER. He explained that while Nolan was getting the oxygen he needed, his body was working *so hard* to do it, that eventually it would have tired out and then we would have been in trouble. He said we might still end up in the ER that evening, but hopefully we had started the treatment plan early enough that we would be able to turn the corner before he tired out.
Not something I liked hearing, but I was glad I had called the right doctor. Now, here's the plan he gave us: Prednisone 2x a day, Pulmicort treatments (inhaled steroid) 2x a day, Xopenex treatments (inhaled fast-acting bronchodilator) every 2 hours. If Nolan hadn't turned the corner by 8 pm last night, we were to call our doctor and most likely be making a trip to the ER. *thankfullly* he did start improving about 7 pm last night.
Not to say we didn't have a rough night though. He still wasn't breathing 'well', and all those medicines put together makes a child very restless and hyper. He didn't sleep much, even though he was so tired. So, I'm pretty tired today - after all the driving, treatments, carrying him more than an average day (all this at 7 1/2 mos pregnant!), and then only getting a few hours of restless sleep last night... I'm sure I'm not as tired as Nolan, though. He's running like a tank today, but it's the meds that are keeping him going. I'm sure his little body and mind are exhausted.
So how was YOUR monday? 
~Lindsay
Comments
Jul. 31, 2007 - hey
Posted by Hediedforme
Hi again,
Thank you for recommending that site. I will check it out later on. I got my mill today and did navy beans first. It was funny since I didn't have the lid to the 'catcher' attached right and flour poofed all over the place :). I'm excited it can grind corn, rice, beans and of course wheat berries. I got a Wondermill.
The naturopath mentioned asthma in relation to food digestion issues. Our youngest has been on Singulair nightly for a while but I've been able to stop his breathing treatments. Apparently his issue is mainly a mold allergy, but given all of our food allergies I wonder if something inside his gut is adding to the trouble his has at times. Anyway, I am so sorry to hear of how rough your child has it with asthma. That is very scary. Does your allergist have him on anything as a maintenance medication? David has not been officially diagnosed with asthma so maybe that is why they have him on singulair etc, to try and ward off official asthma.
I'll pray for your son to heal. It is so hard when we can't just make their ailments go away.
Jul. 31, 2007 - oops
Posted by Hediedforme
Ok, somehow I scrolled down when reading your last post and missed the long list of mediations. Poor dears, I know how hard it is to add breathing treatments alone into a day, with the washing of the parts and sitting there. I feel for you. Has he been allergy tested? David is allergic to mold and cats, luckily we don't have cats. Anyhow, if you can find a pediatric allergist and a naturopath, perhaps it will help. God has a plan for you all in this (you know that, but I'm just reminding you :)).
Jul. 31, 2007 - Thanks
Posted by naturalbirth
I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
If you get the time, you can read more about Nolan's history in this category, Eczema-blogger. I started keeping track if his health issues about 18 months ago. It's been quite a journey.
We did go the natural route for a while, including a naturopath. His diagnoses are too severe, though. And you'll read, he does have a *long* list of allergies, mostly foods, though we haven't tested him on pollens yet.
We do not believe God planned for Nolan to have these problems, but rather understand that living in a fallen world brings disease and sickness and death as a result of sin. We are to honor God in responding to this suffering with patience and perseverance. We ofcourse pray for His healing intervention, though!
~Lindsay
Aug. 8, 2007 - Praying...
Posted by SuperAngel
I will pray for you all as you take care of this asthma.
I used to have asthma, but my mama prayed over me and it left me around age 12. I didn't have it really bad, but I did have a hard time breathing and would wheeze. I have been asthma free for almost 6 years.
I am believing for total healing for your little boy!!
I have added you to my friends. I am JacqueDixonSoulRestES's oldest daughter, btw.
As Always...
SUPERANGEL Amanda
